Jesus knows all about you and me.
He has had His eyes on each of us from our inception and His posture toward us is loving. Not the love we learned as kids, reinforced on tv and in movies, the smarmy heads in the sand puppy love that sets up soon-to-be discarded marriage vows.
Jesus sought out Peter as He did you and me. Peter was an everyman, who came to the true place of faith as a fisherman. He was somewhere in his 30’s, desperate to “make it” at his trade, his marriage, and however he defined spirituality.
Like many, he really wasn’t making it – but if you asked him he’d insist he was, though the evidence was beginning to break into his denial.
It was in this condition that Jesus walked into Peter’s life. Jesus invited him to be one of His followers. Peter, with all his virgin enthusiasm, said yes without hesitation.
It is Peter’s quick “yes” to Jesus and his slow transformation which we can all relate to.
Nearing the end of his life, Peter writes two small books, 1st, and 2nd Peter. In these writings, we find encouragement in this slow, painful process of becoming what we believe.
Peter begins with “To aliens living in disbursed outposts, followers of Jesus, – learn Jesus’ Law of Love.” 1 Peter 1:1 & 22 paraphrase
To you and me, Peter meets us where we are and how we are – spiritual aliens here on earth and followers of Jesus – and the first thing he has to say is to learn Jesus’ law of love.
Why would Peter lead off with that?
A slow but steady learner, Peter learned first-hand from Jesus that love is the universal, preeminent, and primary law of life that guides all human interaction, all creation, and governs the connection between the infinite God and finite humans. The law of love is the root and supersedes all other ways things work.
Peter learned Jesus’ Law of Love living with Jesus for three years — he was an apprentice.
He saw and listened to Jesus talk love, show love, and live love to the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Jesus’ Law of Love exploded into Peter’s heart after he denied Jesus the third time as Jesus turned and made eye contact with Peter.
The Bible says “Peter remembered what Jesus had said.” Peter wept convulsing sobs like a man with dry heaves. It was a black day for Peter because he had no opportunity to talk to Jesus until after Jesus’ crucifixion.
The Love Motivation
After Jesus was raised from the dead, He gathered His disciples at the beach for a fire and food. Can you imagine the dread in Peter’s heart as Jesus asked him to take a walk with Him?
Jesus asked him three times, “Do you love me more than the approval of others?” Three times Peter responded, weeping “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
Jesus’ quick, complete forgiveness – motivated by love – cauterized the open wound of Peter’s heart.
So 35 years later we find Peter writing to you and me – aliens living in disbursed outposts, followers of Jesus — learn Jesus’ Law of Love.
What does Jesus’ Law of Love look like?
With your heart…
Be patient, kind, and compassionate.
Forgive any and every offense without reservation or hesitation
Don’t judge or criticize.
Be slow to anger.
Honor your marriage vows.
Pay attention to Jesus’ words to Peter, you, and me: “everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man who builds his house on a rock.” Matthew 7:24 NASB
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